Choices

As I write this, America finds itself tested and the outcome remains unclear. The current situation may be a bump on the road to salvation, or it may be the end of homo sapien rule. The results of years of simmering distrust, even hatred of our own brothers and sisters, is exploding like a volcano kept too long under pressure. The culmination of more than three years of practiced divisiveness is spewing forth the results of seeking political gain through social distrust.

We find ourselves only wondering what the Galilean would say. Maybe our concentration on the Sermon on the Mount can guide us.

 Of the many dichotomies that he set forth in that brief sermon was the difference between righteous and unrighteous behavior. Perhaps that was why he began with a listing of those things that should make us blessed, or happy in the thought of eternal reward for worldly sacrifice and effort.

How did the forces of evil come to govern while claiming it is being done in his name? One wonders. It hasn’t come from the Galilean. He was pretty clear, if pretty demanding, about righteous and unrighteous behavior. For example:

Men can’t divorce their wives just because a younger woman sashays by. We sin even when we succumb to thoughts of sin. We must reconcile and show love with our enemies. What’s worse, we must even show forgiveness and forego revenge. We should consider what we think are our treasures and where we should store them. (Hint: It’s not money.) We should not worry. Some say he meant unnecessarily, but that isn’t what he was recorded as saying.

Those are some tough spiritual rows to hoe.

Some righteous edicts should be easier. We should help the needy in secret, likewise for praying. We should not look somber when we sacrifice, or fast. As for looking somber when we sacrifice, would that include waving our guns in the air and threatening violence. Some strictures are going to be difficult for a select crowd.

Others should be downright simple. He tells us that unless our righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law—the Franklin Grahams and Kenneth Copelands of the world—we will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Being more righteous than the spiritual “leaders” that now frequent the halls of government is a “piece of cake upside down.”

But overall, the Galilean knew it wouldn’t be easy, this seeking of righteousness stuff. He warned:

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7: 13-14 NIV)

Is it all worth it? Evidently many don’t think so. Some do, however. They find comfort in a favorite passage of those who legitimately seek righteousness. It reads:

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! (6:22-23)